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The concept of Hardening of heart in Christianity

Hardening of heart, in Christianity, describes a state where individuals resist Christ's grace and love, leading to an unresponsive attitude. This concept is echoed in Protestantism, which suggests that God permits this resistance to divine influence. Early Christianity also highlights hardening of heart as a failure to embrace repentance and humility. Overall, hardening of heart reflects a progressive refusal to acknowledge spiritual truths and respond to divine grace.

Synonyms: Callousness, Indifference, Emotional detachment, Stubbornness, Obstinacy, Heartlessness, Coldness

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Hardening of heart'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The process where repeated refusals to acknowledge Christ's love lead to an increasingly resistant state.[1] (2) The process occurring when individuals resist the influences and grace of Christ.[2]

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) The process by which God allows individuals' hearts to become unresponsive and resistant to divine influence or grace.[3]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The process of becoming increasingly resistant to repentance and humility.[4]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Plural form: Hardening of hearts.